2littlemomentshttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com
Too less Time, Too fast Life..Did you see them pass? Too Little Moments..Visibly nonexistent, Yet so Majestic.Sun, 29 Apr 2018 15:06:37 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/4ec9454845e62de778b18c1e12b1ea6d?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs0.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png2littlemomentshttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com
Waking Up in Udupihttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/waking-up-in-udupi/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/waking-up-in-udupi/#commentsSat, 28 Apr 2018 16:03:25 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=4337Under the 12 o’clock Sun of April in a tropical country on a deserted rocky seashore sat a girl under the blue umbrella.

She stared at the sea and the noises that it made — it sounded like the jets that flew over her in the city. She couldn’t spot the source of the sound; all she knew was that it came from the sea.

The water level rose and washed away the mountains that she had made out of the sand.

15 more minutes passed away.

A car stopped on the road next to the shore, 2 people — young, blond, a boy and a girl jumped out of the vehicle and started racing towards the sea. Speed that matched their excitement levels brought them closer to the endless water body, then broke into a wide leap and a splash.

I looked at my friend. He keenly watched me and said, “Go!”

“But, I have to attend my colleague’s wedding. I have to be there in next 1 hour!”

“I know you want to go and play, so go!”

I closed the umbrella, took off my flip-flops and ran towards the sea.

. . . Pause the Time at Kodi Bengre

Kodi Bengre will always remind me of a silent stretch of beach, embellished by the side-lined rocks, randomly placed in such a fashion that resting against them feels like sitting on a throne of your own.

The google map shows this place as a picturesque point where the backwaters meet the sea. When you take the narrow, snake-like road to reach there you will find few clustered houses at the dead end — with rocks placed at the edge as a wall, protecting them against the sea.

Hence, they say don’t rely on google maps.

Kodi Bengre and Delta point are a part of the same stretch of coast — clean, serene and highly tranquillizing if you know how to get high on the sea.

Udupi had called me back and I had decided that I would return with a little more this time.

The Road by the Sea

While beach hopping in and around Udupi, there will be ample times when you might find yourself on a thin stretch of road — one side of which puts to display the restless sea and the other side looks out at the silent backwaters.

Trust me when I say the sea will lure you several times as you pass that road — the waves splashing against the rocky shore send the water several feet high in the air. The breeze then throws these tiny showers at your face, enchanting you with the magic of the sea.

The Hanging Bridge that Links the World

Google took us through a long maze of tall coconut trees where only a white cemented road kept us from getting lost. We could have ridden endlessly had someone not stopped us from going any further.

I halted the two-wheeler on an incline with a jerk like any unskilled rider, turned it around without starting the engine and left it to my friend after being scornfully elucidated on how to apply brakes.

The already-incline hanging bride shook under my heavy footstep. Only the colour green pleased my eyes, even the water below was green.

The other side welcomed us with more coconut trees. I lied down to look up and get high on my once-in-a-long-time thoughtless mind.

A dhoti-clad uncle passed by me, then a few kids, later 2 burqa-clad aunties followed by some Japanese tourists and a cool guy who played the guitar — the world passed by me and I didn’t budge.

The Toddy, the Boat and a Noisy Family to Spoil It All

Under the retiring 5 o’clock Sun, on a Sunday evening atop a slender wooden boat at the slow-moving backwaters sat two travellers and a family that talked about crocodiles and sharks.

It all started when an uncle gave us toddy (local natural alcohol) that was extremely diluted — claiming that it was a special one just for us. It smelled pathetic so we believed him and filled our 1-litre bottle to the brim.

The next moment we hopped onto a boat. Unluckily, a family with 2-3 kids got on board as well.

And the boat rowed as we precariously balanced between being mindful and mindlessness.

Why the Lighthouse Beaconed Us to Return

The Kaup beach laid bare to the incoming waves. The lighthouse clad in black-white jailer costume braved the sea breeze. And, I stared wide-eyed at the fluorescent gibbous moon while floating a foot above the ground.

Under the 6 o’clock sun, next to the 100 feet tall lighthouse under the orange skies on the shallow backwater stream, floated two travellers.

No images available because we had closed our eyes and let our bodies drift with the current.

The evening Sun splashed colours across the sky, the lighthouse started its late-night shift as the humongous lenses began rotating, cautioning the ships at the other end of the world.

The time halted, the people disappeared, the noise cut down — my ears submerged in the water, my breath clearly audible, my mind open to nothingness.

“If you feel disappointed that something didn’t happen as expected, don’t worry, there is always something better waiting for you ahead.”

The trip to Udupi and Murudeshwar came out as the last minute plan B when our trek to Naramsimha Parvatha (Western Ghats, Karnataka) got cancelled due to seemingly improbable reasons—we swear, the trek wouldn’t have been as much fun.

Where Is Udupi?

If every beach is compared to ambered beads, the coastline of India is like dangling necklace.

Udupi is one of the pearls shining on the southwestern edge of the Indian subcontinent.

If you are familiar with Goa, Udupi lies in the state of Karnataka around 300 kilometres (6 hours drive) southward from the popular tourist spot.

Bangalore To Udupi Distance

There are 2 routes to reach Udupi from Bangalore—the shortest being a 406-kilometre drive which takes approximately 8 hours. Practically, a total of 9 hours if you stop for food and rest.

Udupi is a pilgrimage site—one out of the seven pious ‘Muktisatalas‘ of Karnataka. Lined across its shore are minor ports at the estuaries of small and lesser-known rivers like Udyavara and Sita that empty their waters into the Arabian Sea.

Bangalore To Udupi NH 75 – Saturday, 12 am

We hit the National Highway NH75 or popularly known as Tumkur road at around midnight and were out of Bangalore by 1:55 am, speeding at 140 kilometres/hour.

4 AM

I would better call the route our race circuit because we zoomed past these locations. We took a diversion on the State Highway (SH 57) to continue on Belur road.

While driving through the deserted streets of an unknown town that looked ghostly under the dead silence of the night, we steered slowly, blindly trusting the off-the-road shortcuts that Google Maps persuaded us to take.

Our high-spirited travel songs from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara to Dil Chahta Hai hummed down to tune with the tales of the paranormal. In the sheer darkness, with only our headlights to guide us, the NH after crossing Belur led us through a thick forest cover with undulating roads and sharp turns.

With barely any vehicles passing by us, we sped through the roads like there was no tomorrow. We found a speeding car that had earlier overtaken us to have driven through the bushes at one side of the road at the next turn. Though the driver seemed to be fine in one glance, we dared not stop at such a location to help the sole person inside the car.

Note: The NH73 (Karnataka) has no street lights over a long stretch. Small villages like Attigere, Charmadi, Kakkinje fall on the way, separated by strips of dense vegetation (more like a jungle) and uninhabited areas. Avoid passing through this area in the dead of the night.

At 9 in the morning, we passed through Karkala. In between, we found the cleanest public toilet ever on a highway and exploited it very well before commencing our journey. As we struggled to keep our eyes open, it was best considered to halt for a while and take a short nap.

The morning drive was pleasant with welcoming greenery and cool air pacing along. Before reaching Udupi, we stopped at a local restaurant to have a heart breakfast of ghee masala dosa.

1. Visit Kaup Beach With Lighthouse

Udupi To Kapu Beach

Kaup or Kapu (in Tulu language) beach is 16 Kilometers (18 minutes) south of Udupi—follow a straight route on NH 66 and it will take you to this calm and scarcely crowded beach.

The Kaup beach lighthouse timings are 5pm to 6pm—it offers a panoramic view of the captivating scenic landscape around.

We reached there at around noon and the sun felt quite hot even for the month of November. The lighthouse on this beach seemed to be dressed in black and white jailer costume.

At one corner of the beach, the boulders and rocks form a cluster that leads to a huge rock-hill, on top of which the lighthouse stands towering over the land. Once you climb the stairs to reach the lighthouse, you will discover that the viewpoint next to the lighthouse offers a Ummm…. a fantastic lover’s spot.

Prepare to get uncomfortable and embarrassed as young couples get cosy in close vicinity. Alternatively, look ahead towards the sea to catch the glimpse of Humpback dolphins if you are lucky, we were!

If you are facing the sea, still searching for dolphin fins, turn to your right you will see the beach continues to stretch as far as the eyes can see. Colourful boats of fishermen wait for their sailors in the bright sunlight.

Just when you turn around with your back facing the sea, you will find a small stream of water emerging stealthily from the coconut groves—a tiny version of a backwater, I must tell you. It is a shallow flow of water you can dabble in once you get down from the lighthouse and cross over to reach the stream.

Refresh yourself at the shops and shacks near the entrance—they offer cold drinks, water, and snacks. Sit silently on the benches close by and watch the ruffling sea in sheer retrospection.

2. Watch Sunset At Marwanthe Beach

The Marwanthe beach is where you can witness the wrath the sea causes on the land in the monsoon season. The waves hit past the rocks present adjacent to the road to prevent the sea water from reaching it.

Running parallel to the coastline is NH66. As the road converges towards the sea, you will find stunning view similar to Marine Drive in Mumbai. You will realize you are driving parallel to the beach.

If you happen to visit Marwanthe beach in the non-monsoon months, be there at sunset.

Get out of your car, pass over these rocks and reach the slanting shoreline receding into the sea. Swimming could be dangerous here although the farther ends of the beach might be safe to go inside the waters.

Watch the sun extinguish into the sea—right when it is bright yellow, then, turns to lurid shades of red and orange. Finally, it fades into the horizon, leaving behind a sky that is still painted in the vibrant colours along the trail of the sun.

Sunsets at the sea brew inexplicable humane emotions and the Marwanthe beach is where you must stop to see it.

3. Be At the Famous Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar is at a distance of 102 kilometres or around 2 hours from Udupi.

Murudeshwar Temple

A 20-storeyed Gopuram marks the entrance of Murudeshwar temple

Extensively and intricately carved, Gopurams are monumental gateways through the walls that surround the temple.

We started at 6 pm from Marwanthe beach towards Murudeshwar—it is a 50-kilometre drive from Marwanthe.

Note: Due to the lack of rides and construction going on on the highway, this drive is a risky affair. Avoid nighttime and prefer the daytime or early morning to drive.

The temple closes at around 8:30 pm but you can still directly go to the statue of Shiva, which has a separate entrance.

The magnificent statue of Shiva visible from the huge wooden doors of the Gopuram

The place holds the world’s second tallest idol of Lord Shiva, which is an amazing 123-feet in height—the tallest Shiva idol is in Nepal.

You will get a glimpse of the idol right from the parking space. After reaching the entrance climb up the stairs and you will see the divine sitting in Lotus pose, engrossed into a deep meditation.

4. Spend A Night Near Panchgangavali River

Panchagangavali is another river that empties its water into the Arabian sea. Though the river doesn’t appear to be very clean, the fishermen and birds of prey lurked close to the river for their daily catch.

Jaunt along the kaccha road adjacent to the hotel that runs parallel to the river and you could catch the raw stink of the fish meat in the air.

White cranes and vibrant kingfishers wait patiently perched on wooden poles that stood in the middle of the river. A sense of calm draws over you when you spend the early morning under the shades of coconut trees.

Blue Waters is in Kundapura district, around 38 kilometres from Udupi. The resort has air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool, rich, comfortable rooms with good service. It is worth a day’s stay if you visiting with family.

5. Take A Ferry From Malpe Beach To St Mary’s Island

Malpe is yet another beach to indulge in water sports—banana ride, speed boat, motor boat—you name it they have it. Enjoy the Bollywood music playing in the background while dabbling in the calm sea water that might not stand up to your expectation of clean sea water.

If you are done with being a part of the horde that visits the beach in evenings, hop onto the nearest ferry and reach St Mary’s Island at a hefty 500 Indian Rupees.

St Mary’s Island is beauteous, clean, scarcely crowded and known for its distinctive columnar rocks.

Climb over the tricky and gigantic rock hills to sit peacefully atop one of them and admire the profound and unbounded sea. Alternatively, walk around and explore the whole island.

On the side, directly opposite to where our boat dropped us, we found pieces of shells instead of sand covering a greater part of the beach.

Don’t forget to rejuvenate yourself with the fresh coconut water and let it drench your clothes (no straws available because humans create a mess. Being there will leave you mesmerised so much so that you may not want to go back to the mainland.

Depressions And Tensions On The Mangalore-Bangalore Highway

The infamous Mangalore-Bangalore highway (NH75) is a dwelling for potholes—you are sure to jar throughout the 15 kilometres stretch. Don’t take this route at night unless you want to invite undue trouble—rash driving bus drivers, no street lights, serpentine roads and turns, unpleasant potholes, narrow way—experience it all here.

The precarious highway that it is the drive might give you a pain in your knees while shifting frequently between the break and accelerator.

The stern looking man with hair that of face length, wearing an expression of I-don’t-give-a-damn approached us a minute later for taking back the form. I read through each and every point as quickly as I could before handing over the disclaimer along with the illegitimate responsibility of our lives for the next half an hour.

“Scuba diving can even be done by children as young as 10 years.” With that, they did instil some confidence in me, but things quickly got complicated when they put a 3-kilogram weight harness around my waist as I stood neck deep in water.

The Andaman Islands offer one of the best underwater experience of the rich marine life in a natural aquarium of the sea, a larger part of which still remains unexplored. On recommendation, I chose to dive at Havelock Island, which offers around 30 diving points close to the Island.

Before going into the deep waters, the instructor made us wear body-clinging diving suits. Ours were wetsuits—thick, spongy, covering our thighs and sleeves—they felt warmer than damp. We donned footwear made of similar material; nothing fancy, just high boots that suited the environment we were about to enter.

If you are wondering when we wear those long and fancy diver fins, it is the instructors who make you wear them. By leaving you to float on your back with your feet above the water, they grab your legs and strap the fins over your feet. Watching myself get a new pair of webbed feet while floating aimlessly with an inflated gear, I felt no less than a duckling that has just hatched out of its egg.

The Instructions In Scuba Diving

While fixing the weight harness around my waist and the oxygen cylinder on my shoulders, the instructor Shaolin from Ocean Dive Centre briefed me about the gears, their purpose and the hand gestures used during underwater communication. He also explained that the pressure in the deep sea makes the ears pop like it does when you are flying and what to do when that happens.

He clearly instructed me on the emergency signals and measure to take when water enters my mask or the breathing tube. Yes, that can happen.

I bit on my mouthpiece and clasped it between my lips as instructed.

“Breathe”, he said. A whooping sound came out of my mouthpiece (that’s what I want to call it right now) and I got sceptical that there was something wrong with the equipment. Before I could ask him he told me to go underwater and breathe from the hose.

As I went below the surface and breathed, big air bubbles flowed out of my mouth through the equipment. I came up, believed everything was working fine and got in again to get acclimatized. But, this time he pushed down my head, submerging me and allowing me to get the real sense of breathing underwater.

Though Shaolin didn’t have any intentions to kill me, it was indeed scary. Yet, as long as my lungs got their bit of oxygen all seemed fine.

Before I could take in another breath, I was pulled up and out. I was dragged toward the deeper sea by a stranger whom I trusted for my life. Floating towards the unknown for few minutes, we reached a point far away from the rocky shore and stopped. Not a soul was visible around me except those who also had enrolled for this suicidal experience.

My instructor gestured me to put in the mouthpiece and asked me to take the dive.

My First Dive

I filled my lungs with as much air as I could (which I later realized was of no use) and dived into the sea.

The first dip was uncomfortable, the depth was unfathomable and the surrounding was unfamiliar. I immediately signalled a thumbs up asking him to bring me to surface. When I put up my face and removed the hose, he asked what had happened.

I freaked out and tried breathing through nose, but nah! the mask didn’t allow me to, my nose was closed shut—they make you wear a goggle mask that completely blocks your nose and protects your eyes, also allowing you to see underwater.

There was a moment of panic, I gasped for air. My chest felt heavy and under pressure. I could have hardly released my breath when I saw nobody over the surface, my fellow divers were already busy exploring the sea.

“Let go of the fear”, I thought.

I clasped my breathing equipment as tightly as I could with my teeth and under those grey, rainy skies, unaware of my location, finally dived into the depths of the blue waters while fighting my will to breathe through my nose.

The hue was blue, the colour prevailed everywhere. I couldn’t see the floor. I grabbed my instructor’s hand tightly—that very moment fear crawled the insides of my chest and I breathed hard.

A line of bubbles glided up over my head. Shaolin had told, “Saans lene mein kanjoosi mat karna (don’t think twice before breathing deeply and comfortably) “, but I had developed an array of fears in a matter of seconds, one of them being what if I run out of oxygen.

While taking those quick, heavy breaths, I could clearly hear the oxygen rush through the hose into my respiratory tract. I feared the water would seep in through the mouthpiece but it didn’t. I feared it would enter my mask and glasses, but I didn’t. I knew I was going down and deeper into the sea and I breathed, deep and hard.

I felt a rush of adrenaline accompanied by a thrill that I did survive the dive. I deeply felt each and every breath as I breathed in the oxygen-rich air. Dragging each breath, I realized how precious my life was, how valuable these breaths are, how I would die under water if I remove my mask and breathe in the water, unable to resurface in time.

The Sea Life Underneath

All this while I hadn’t noticed what was happening around me. With my eyes wide-opened out of excitement, I looked around to see dozens of fluorescent fish swimming with such grace and elegance that I let them be. They were undeterred by the aliens that would visit them every now and then to say hello.

Vibrant and vivid colours of the aquatic life grabbed my attention and I didn’t realize that I had already left Shaolin’s hand and started flapping my webbed feet towards the magical marine life that gradually presented itself amidst the misty depths.

Though he held me all that time like a child holding his school bag from the top, I was dangling but free, floating as if under zero gravity.

The corals, big chunks and smaller ones, strange-shaped, colourful and dull formed the rugged terrain of the seafloor. Coral mountains seemed to have invaded the sea though most of them were dead (you can tell by the ombre shift from the alive ones to the dead). With so much human intervention, that seemed evident. Moreover, I was glad we didn’t venture far and disturb the richer ones in the deeper pockets of the sea.

Credits: Dreamstime

Strange looking organisms resided on the sea floor, a plump and black snail-like creature with spikes on its back, a shimmering pair of blue lips that opened and closed as if they were breathing—clamps as they called, are molluscs, resembling something like above in the picture.

We only went about 5-8 meters below the surface. I wanted to touch the sea floor and so I did. It was a surreal experience!—the sand was coarse and when I let it slip, it didn’t fall but disseminated into the water.

A professional diver took our pictures with the underwater camera. There was no way of communicating so I was utterly confused when she held the tiny camera in front of me and gestured me to pose—but we did get some great shots.

Shaolin held me all that time and kept managing the Buoyancy Controller, which helps you float and control the depth during the dive—I could hear the pressure release but never did I really care about the technicalities.

I immersed myself in the leisure of diving. At some point, my throat and mouth started feeling dry, inhaling only from the mouth wasn’t easy after all. However, survival instincts kicked in and I kept breathing and deviated my attention somewhere else.

I looked up to see the surface of the water. It seemed like a separate world, far from me and the one I didn’t really want to go back to. But, we had to retreat. Unknowingly I was pulled up and I followed, flapping my feet and getting closer to the surface.

Breaking the diaphanous surface, I emerged from the water, still breathing through my mouth. Shaolin helped in removing the mask.

I was quiet and still, then, worried because my brother was also in there. We had given each other a high-five inside the water. Amazing isn’t it? I recognized him in the water where everybody looked similar—strange creatures with black bodysuits and life-supporting equipment in contrast to the aqua life around them.

“They already left.”, Shaolin said. I was alone there floating in the water, clueless and still absorbing the sudden series of events that had taken place. One moment I was below the water, living each instant in peace and calm and the next one felt as if I had been taken out of the womb of comfort into the commotion of the world.

One moment I was below the water, living each instant in peace and calm and the next one felt as if I had been taken out of the womb of comfort into the commotion of the world.

I saw dad coming towards us, he said it had rained cats and dogs in the past 20-25 minutes and I was oblivious to everything except daylight.

I had never breathed so peacefully as I did under the sea, never felt such a combination of tranquillity and excitement at once, never felt freer and been in such a close and lively interaction with my surrounding.

Everything was there, right there, under the sea, a world both different and difficult. I realized I had more control over myself and lesser over my environment and I enjoyed the fact that it was so.

Tips To Follow For Scuba Diving

1. Never go for diving when you are sick. Even common cold can give you a tough time though you may feel your nose is in your favour being naturally congested.

2. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, ear infections, balance issues and respiratory problems must take special care. Your declaration forms require you to tick or cross against a number of medical conditions following which the team will decide whether you are fit to dive or need a green flag from the doctor before doing so.

3. Listen to your instructor carefully all the time—it will keep you alive, more importantly, confident that you will be able to do it.

4. In case of any problem, let your instructor know. If the belt is too tight or the hose seems uncomfortable, ask them to wait and give you time to get accustomed to using the equipment.

5. Remember the sign language, it is the only way you will be able to communicate underwater—for the beginners, there are just four, so it isn’t as difficult. But, I did confuse between ‘OK ( ok sign)’ and “Take Me Up To The Surface’ (Thumbs Up sign).

6. Breathe with ease, be it deep, slow or quick, don’t limit your breaths. You will not run out of oxygen.

7. The instructor is always by your side, one instructor per person makes it easier for them and convenient for us. There will never be a case where you share your instructor unless you are going for a diving course—that is a different story.

8. Anytime you want to come to the surface because you feel uncomfortable, tired, dizzy, pain in the ear, heaviness in chest, breathless or suffer an injury, let your instructor know with the thumbs up sign. You will reach the surface in 5-6 seconds.

9. Pick up an early morning slot for diving—you will have a better visibility. For recreational dive, the depths that are explored are no more than 12 meters.

10. In Andamans, dives primarily happen in Havelock Island and Port Blair, Neil Islands come last in terms of preference. You will have to contact your agent (preferably in advance) who will take you there a day or two before the dive for registration.

11. The cost of diving in the Andaman Islands is no more than 3500 Indian Rupees for a leisurely 20-25 minute scuba dive up to a depth of 8-12 meters—the depth solely depending upon the oxygen consumption and ability to acclimatize to the conditions.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/breathing-underwater-my-very-first-scuba-diving-experience-in-andaman-islands/feed/2CAMERAsheebakaulIMG-20180104-WA0021IMG-20180104-WA0017IMG-20180104-WA0027IMG-20180104-WA0014IMG-20180104-WA0018CAMERACAMERACAMERACAMERAscuba dive havelock 12CAMERAscuba dive havelock 14clamp molluskCAMERACAMERACAMERACAMERAscuba dive havelock 15scuba dive havelock18CAMERAscuba havelock 16IMG-20180104-WA0023CAMERAStepping Over The Southern Edge: Kovalam To Kanyakumari And Beyondhttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/stepping-over-the-southern-edge-kovalam-to-kanyakumari-and-beyond/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/stepping-over-the-southern-edge-kovalam-to-kanyakumari-and-beyond/#commentsSat, 04 Nov 2017 19:08:55 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=2064It is not every day that you reach the end of ‘a world’, where the vast ocean stares back at you mocking your limitations yet demanding endless reverence.

At the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent in the state of Tamil Nadu lies Kanyakumari. From the point where the land meets the ocean, you can see the Laccadive Sea expand like an endless blue giant roaring and crashing against the rocky coastline of this mini town.

Up along the Western coast in the adjacent state of Kerela, is the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum in short Urban style). In this calm city lies the small beach town called Kovalam. Known for its crescent-shaped beach line and Ayurvedic treatment centers, Kovalam not only attracts the indigenous crowd but also draws people from outside India.

We are going to take a journey from Kovalam to Kanyakumari and beyond.

Kovalam Beach

Out of these, the Lighthouse beach (Kovalam) is more popular. The crowd of tourists peaks from November to February when the temperatures are favorable and the sun doesn’t feel burning hot for a beach.

There is a marketplace that runs along the beach line but doesn’t disturb its essence. Attractive jewelry, clothes, and artifacts will lure you into the shops, but don’t expect anything to be super cheap.

The sands of Kovalam are slightly black in color due to the presence of certain mineral oxides like ilmenite. Surely you won’t go there for Ph.D. Chemistry, so, run on the sand, rush to salty sea waters and feel the land underneath your feet descend gradually into the sea.

Witness the burning sun melt in the evening sky and sense the salty waters spume with agitation between your legs. We indulged in jumping against the waves only to be toppled by the stronger ones.

Before we could get rid of the salt water entering our mouths and coming out from our nostrils, another wave would surprise-hit us from behind. The sea bullied us multiple times, but oh did that ever deter us from smiling and laughing!

Vizhinjam Lighthouse

Not far away from the sea, lies the Vizhinjam Lighthouse that is adorably colored in bright red and white strips. The lighthouse is situated atop a hillock called Kurumkal, which is a 15-minute walk away from the beach.

They charge a small amount to enter the lighthouse—no cameras allowed until you reach the top.

The endless expanse of Arabian sea from the Window of the Vizhinjam Lighthouse

Once you climb up the visibly precarious and scariest circular stairs that will elevate you considerably with every step, you will know why it’s worth risking an accidental glimpse through the ‘mundu’ (garment worn around the waist in Kerela) of the person ahead of you.

The blue waters separated from the greens by a thin sandy coastline

The top of the Vizhinjam lighthouse offers a spectacular view of the blue waters trying to merge with the green land that is covered by the dense vegetation of coconut and palm trees—looking below from a height of 118 feet, a strip of yellow dust seems to separate the two eternally.

On the other side of the lighthouse, the rough coastal line of Vizhinjam Beach plays with the sea in an endless strife against each other. The beach sees the fishermen going for their daily catch in old-style wooden boats.

Rocky coastline of the Vizhinjam Beach

Though this isn’t the right place to take a dip, you could tip a ride to the sea. Other attractions include Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium and a mosque that is clearly visible from the top of the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. This is the place to be if you are looking for ayurvedic treatment centers.

The colorful flying kites on the Kovalam beach (you can buy one or fly one), children running around and making sea castles, adults jumping to the receding waters, semi-clad swimmers braving the waves and the vast expanse of the Arabian sea made my day at Kovalam.

Sunset at Kovalam Beach

The orange tainted sun was retiring for the day and the silhouettes of people against the last light left me in retrospection.

How To Reach Kovalam

The nearest airport to Kovalam is Trivandrum International Airport, which is about 13.6 kilometers away. You can hire a taxi (charges- 400-500 Indian Rupees) or an autorickshaw (150-170 Indian Rupees).

Kovalam is well connected via road. From Trivandrum, you will easily get a bus to Kovalam from the East Fort bus stand.

Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, the southern edge of the Indian mainland clearly contrasts the majestic Himalayas up in the North as the coastline abruptly descends into the deep sea. As you reach near the coast, the air feels heavy and a distinctive smell of seawater follows you wherever you go.

How To Reach Kanyakumari From Bangalore

The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is Trivandrum International Airport, which is 93 kilometers from the district and well connected to all major cities of India.

en route to Kerela

I started my journey from Bangalore to Trivandrum via KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) bus. From Trivandrum, I boarded a train to Kanyakumari, which takes approximately 3 hours to complete its journey.

Arriving at the Last station – Kanyakumari

You could alternatively travel the whole journey via train—the Kanyakumari Express starts from Bangalore and reaches Kanyakumari after completing a 9-hour journey. Here are the schedule details of the Kanyakumari Express.

You could always board a bus from Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) to Kanyakumari, but there is a good reason you should opt for the train ride.

Here are 5 reasons Kanyakumari must be on your travel list.

1. Kanyakumari Marks The Endpoint Of The Indian Railways In South India

Only locomotives stop here, we go ahead and further!

When you reach Kanyakumari station via train, there is no going ahead. The Southwestern railway line ends here. The thought of witnessing the dead end, knowing that this the last station and there is nowhere else to go on tracks is fascinating.

The places in Kanyakumari don’t lie very far from each other. Outside the station, you can easily catch autos. Your next stop is 5 minutes away, about 1.2 kilometers from the station.

2. Swami Vivekananda Was Here For Nirvana!

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

It is said that Swami Vivekananda, the legendary Indian Monk came all the way to Kanyakumari, stepped off the Indian mainland to reach a tiny rocky island little farther into the ocean and sat down there to meditate.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is where the saint is said to have attained enlightenment in later years of 19th century.

Built in 1970, to offer reverence to the saint, Vivekananda Rock Memorial has an interesting story behind its construction. The rocks were an area of many conflicts between Hindus and Christians (local Catholic fishermen) who wanted to declare it as a St. Xavier’s rock while the former wanted it to be called as the Vivekanand rock.

After various hurdles along the path, when the conflict was resolved in favor of Vivekananda rock, the funds became an issue. For this, the common man was asked to contribute an amount—the minimum contribution that could be made was as less as 1 rupee.

Today, the people of that era can say with a pride that they have contributed towards its establishment.

A Splashing Ride To Vivekananda Rock Memorial

A ferry takes you from the shore of Vavathurai on the mainland to the memorial, which is about 500 meters away. At Kanyakumari station, board one of the autorikshas that will be waiting outside the station and ask them to drop you near the market.

People waiting for the ferry to take them back to the mainland

The local people are friendly and will give you directions to the ferry ride. The charges are minimal, which is between 20-30 Indian rupees per person. The memorial is open from 8 in the morning till 4 in the evening.

Though reaching there is easy, the ferry ride itself is a bumpy one. Since we were sailing against the incoming waves, our boat was often riding high and low, splashing against the water. You will be made to wear safety jackets, so don’t fret—the ride gets over in 10-15 minutes.

3. Watch Sunrise Or Sunset At The Intersect Of 3 Seas

The ‘Sun God’ is welcomed on the beach of Kanyakumari with the sound of the conch (shankh) and prayers. Hundreds of people gather to witness the first rays of the morning sun—the celestial body looks heavenly as it appears to emerge out of the sea at the far flat end of the Earth.

I shouldn’t forget to mention that this point is where the Baby of Bengal, The Indian Ocean, and The Arabian Sea are geographically considered to meet. There is no line that separates them, not even on the map, however, there is something magical about watching the sunrise from this edge of the Indian mainland.

4. The Statue Of Thiruvalluvar, Writer Of The Famous Tamil Literature Tirukkural

Consider revisiting your history lessons because Thiruvalluvar might ring a familiar bell. The majestic 133-feet tall stone statue of the famous poet and philosopher from Tamil Nadu has a grand presence in the sea even when you look at it from the beach.

View of the Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar from the ferry

Adjacent to the Vivekananda rock memorial, the statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar overlooks the city. The statue has been constructed taking into consideration one of the best works of Valluvar, Tirukkural—the finest Tamil literature that was written 2000 years ago with an intent to guide people on good virtues, ethics, morality, knowledge, and wisdom.

Statue of Thiruvalluvar overlooking the town of KanyakumariThe Memorial and Statue glowing starkly against the darkness of the sea is a sight to behold

The statue stands tall on a 38 feet high pedestal, which represents the 38 chapters of virtues of Tirukkural. The rest of the 95 feet, excluding the pedestal, denote the chapters in 2 sections of the book Porul (70 chapters) and Inbam (25 Chapters).

It took 500 sculptures around 9 years to build this huge stone sculpture.

5. Our Lady Of Ransom Church, Kanyakumari

I can’t describe the aura that came from this place. We reached the church in the evening when it was already dark. There was a prayer or mass going on and people had gathered in and around in large numbers.

Their hum and prayers in unison radiated an energy, which could be felt strongly. I didn’t want to go closer to the church to take a picture and disturb them. However, I didn’t feel like leaving the place either and wanted to sit and join the crowd.

The stunning architecture of this Catholic church with a height of 153 feet is distinctively visible from the beach as a white towering structure. The church is inspired by Roman architecture style and has a statue of Mother Mary wearing a sari placed at the center of the altar.

Returning To Trivandrum

On the way back, we missed our train but luckily got a local bus from Kanyakumari to Nagercoil from where we could catch a train to Trivandrum.

The trains that leave from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum don’t ply on all days. Refer the chart here.

Our rickety bus en route to Nagercoil

The bus ride was amazing though. We drove through the shortest possible space a bus could pass through. It wobbled and jigged through the streets sans lights with people boarding and getting down near their small and brightly lit homes next to vast coconut and banana tree gardens that extended in the unfamiliar darkness.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

We reached Trivandrum in the evening. While I still had time to board the bus back home, we visited the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the most popular temples in the land of Gods, Kerela.

The temple has a sanctum dedicated to Lord Vishnu, whose idol is present in Anantha Shayanam pose or the eternal yogic sleep on the Sheeshnag. The temple is known for the intricate beauty of its Dravidian style architecture. There is a strict dress code for both men and women, which is to wear a mundu before entering the temple.

The origin of the temple is unknown, some claim that it was established on the first day of Kali Yug. There are interesting stories associated with its origins. You can read more about the legend and history of the temple here.

My journey ended in the beautiful city of Trivandrum, but I so hope and wish to return to Kerela again.

With my good friend at the edge of the Indian mainland. Sumit, this journey wouldn’t have been fun without you.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/stepping-over-the-southern-edge-kovalam-to-kanyakumari-and-beyond/feed/4Stepping over the southern edge-Kovalam to kanyakumarisheebakaulkovalam to kanyakumariKovalam beachkovalamkovalam1Vizhinjam lighthouseview from Vizhinjam1kovalam beach3view from Vizhinjamkovalam beach 1kovalam3kovalam4bangalore to trivandrumkanyakumari stationkankyakumar station1vivekananda rock memorialvivekananda rock memorial1vivekananda rock memorial2ferry rideferry ride3ferry ride1sunrise at kanyakumarisunrise calendersunrise calender1statue of thiruvalluvarthiruvalluvar1statue of thiruvalluvarsaint thiruvalluvar looks over kanyakumarithiruvalluvar2Our Lady Of Ransom ChurchOur Lady Of Ransom Church1our-lady-of-ransom-church-kanyakumaribus ride to NagercoilPadmanabhaswamy TempleSree Padmanabhaswamy Temple1Sumit and meKudremukh Trek: Passing 7 Milestones To Reach The Land Amid The Cloudshttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/kudremukh-trek-passing-7-milestones-to-reach-the-land-amid-the-clouds/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/kudremukh-trek-passing-7-milestones-to-reach-the-land-amid-the-clouds/#commentsFri, 29 Sep 2017 06:36:30 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=2432There is a magical and enchantingly beautiful place hidden amid the clouds and you don’t get a ladder to climb up there.

To reach there, you must follow the trail through the dense Shola forest, cross the paths of blood-sucking monsters, witness excessive green color that hurts eyes, step through mud and puddles, dodge rocks across 10 streams of cold rushing water, climb altitude against stormy winds and necessarily push against your exhausted body and the illusions of mind.

Not, but almost literally.

Kudremukh is an undulating mountain range that is a part of the Western Ghats of the Indian peninsula. Known for its lush and green stretches, the range looks so appealing and surreal that the landscape seems to appear right out of a painting.

Located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, Kudremukh is also a national park and a peak. At 1894 meters of altitude, it is one among the highest peaks in Karnataka.

Kudremukh literally means horse’s head. The range appears to be in the shape of a horse’s head from a certain viewpoint and angle. However, right from where we started, we were blessed with continuous rains and breathtaking combinations of greens (lush) and whites (clouds) that obscured our view.

The picturesque grasslands, meadows and forests embellished by the stark white clouds appeal to trekkers and photographers alike. Kudremukh National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna—you can either visit the national park or choose to trek to the peak.

We recently did a trek to the Kudremukh with Nature Walkers who are a bunch of enthusiastic travelers from Bangalore and organize similar treks and trips.

The most favorable time to trek to Kudremukh peak is from October To February. We went at the peak of monsoons and no wonder, the weather added to the thrill.

Our homestay accomodation in Kudremukh

It is best and preferred to book a homestay that the localities of Mullodi village offer, to get closer to nature and for the convenience of the trek. For easy availability, you must do the booking a month before the day of the journey.

The Nature Walkers team had planned everything in advance. We simply had to board our bus on Friday night, from the respective pickup points in Bangalore. In our 6-7 hour journey, we stopped for dinner at New Green Palace Dhaba at Kunigal Road.

We also stopped at a roadside dosa shop at 4 am early morning to have Neer Dosa and the much-needed hot cup of tea. Drizzle and chilling winds welcomed us, indicating that we were closer to our destination.

You can’t miss the scenic beauty on the way to Balgal, but we did as we all slept away until we reached there at 6 in the morning.

The jeep ride to Mullodi starts from here

From there, it was an uphill drive of about 4 kilometers to Mullodi village, which you can either trek through mud and puddles or hire a jeep to reach there.

The jeep takes 500-600 rupees for a group of 8 people. Our jeep bellowed, wobbled, jigged on the rocky terrain and occasional tiny streams throughout the climb.

We reached the homestay in about 15-20 minutes, finished our breakfast of hot idli-sambar and chutni and set out on the trek. The guides were hired to lead the way while the organizers took their positions with one as the lead and the other tailing at the back.

Pumped up with adrenaline were 15 people, trekking up the rocky trail to Kudremukh peak.

8:30 A.M

The peach color in the background is the homestay

The first hour of the 9-hour trek (both ways) passed smoothly—all we did was walk through the greens.

1. Crossing 10 Streams Of Cold Rushing Water

We weren’t able to see much—the scenic view included the color green of the lush and white of the clouds. Soon, we came across a stream of fresh water—that looked right out of a fancy ‘Windows’ wallpaper.

Dodging the slippery rocks, stepping onto the visible ones, falling at every second step, we were slow while the local guides who wore chappals and usual footwear rushed ahead as if they were walking through their backyards.

Note: Waterproof shoes would be of no use to you here.

We crossed 10 such freshwater streams—some flowed as tiny waterfalls, stark white against the dark stones.

2. Entering The Dense Tropical Jungle

The streams made their way through dense shola forest. We had already drenched our ‘waterproof’ shoes when it started raining. The rain was expected—after all we were passing through the tropical jungles of the Western Ghats in monsoon.

7 Kilometers to go! Our halt point.

Though the raincoats protected us from drizzle, our trail became mucky and slippery. We did halt for a while here, to take rest and pull out leeches stuck into our skin.

3. Fighting Off The Blood-Sucking Monsters

Where there is shade and moisture, there are leeches. No wonder, most of us were quite a feast for the blood-sucking predators. Slithery and receptive towards body heat, leech removal proved to be an absolute mess since we didn’t want to kill them. Lol.

For those who aren’t familiar, leech bites are painless, non-venomous and harmless in most cases—but, the wound can get quite itchy even after days. At most, you will bleed from the bite—an immediate treatment is pressing turmeric powder over the wound.

4. Witnessing Excess Green That Hurt Our Eyes

The sound of flowing water stayed with us throughout. You could get a glimpse of the waterfall in the picture.

The green color dominated everywhere except the sky. The pouring didn’t stop and neither did we. You can’t miss out on a single vibrant shade of green while passing through the valley below. It is an absolute pleasure to the eyes.

5. Climbing Altitude Against Stormy Winds

The trek got tougher with the rains bestowing upon us the fresh water from heavens above and the gales pushing against us with all their might. All we could see when we looked up were clouds and after every 100 meters of trekking uphill, there still appeared another climb to ascend.

We couldn’t get a clear view, neither of the downhill trail nor of the way upwards. I am sure people weren’t discouraged that they couldn’t see how far they have come and how much more they had to trek up—in fact, that was the best part.

6. Against The Exhausted Body And Mind

We couldn’t distinguish between the sweat and the rains that had now drenched our clothes completely. We breathed hard, stopped multiple times in between, but we were asked/poked/encouraged by our organizers to keep moving.

Despite the exhaustion and feeling the strength drain away from our bodies, despite constant rains and strong winds pushing us down, despite the clouds slapping against our faces, we reached a plain ground at the top—but, no, this wasn’t it!

7. And There Was No Stopping Till The Peak

It so happens that when you have only a single choice left with you, you don’t let it go to waste. So, we dragged our legs and walked, singing our way up to the peak, which was another 100-150 meters away from the flat, walkable base.

“5 minutes!”, one said. “Just 30 more steps”, said another who was now coming down from the peak. Nothing felt more annoying than watching their contended faces appear from between the clouds.

We slogged and crawled our way to the peak.

The Zenith 1894 Meters 2 PM

We had reached the Kudremukh peak. Just being there felt exhilarating. Words are less to describe the excitement of finally arriving at the peak.

Wind speed: >20 kilometers per hour

Temperature: 15 degree Celsius,

Visibility: 2 meters

We were here! And we have the proof!

It was the time to celebrate, with high chances that we would be pushed off the cliff by the combination of clouds, winds and rain.

The winds were so strong and cold that our teeth started clattering—your fingers and toes could almost approach a state of hypothermia—blame the chill of the monsoon. Don’t even try to take off your shoes to have a look at your feet.

We ate our food (we had received fried rice/puliogre to carry along) picking up each morsel with unstable and shaky hands. The downward descent was to begin soon and turned out to be more difficult than the climb.

If it is not tiring, back-breaking, not about leech biting, shivering, teeth-clattering and mesmerizing, it is not worth it.

It was already dark while we were coming back and the jungle came alive with strange sounds in the evening. We reached back by 6 pm.

At the homestay, the facility for a refreshing hot bath, tea and hot pakoras had been arranged for us. We were revived after feasting on the meal (they offered non-vegetarian food as an option—rice, chicken curry, pappad).

Post dinner, a campfire was arranged for us. The warmth of the fire slowly awakened us to life

We started singing and chatting while it was still raining out there in the dark cold night. The sleep gently took over our tired bodies.

Day 2: 7 Am

We went to a stream nearby ( 5minutes away from the homestay) to take a dip in the fresh, leech free and cold rushing waters. Since it was raining heavily the last night, we were asked not to climb up the rocks over the falls as it was too slippery and dangerous.

However, we had a fun time, fixing our feet at the base of the stream and struggling to avoid getting carried away by the strong flow.

Before You Begin

1. Prefer going with an organized group than doing it alone—you won’t have to bang your head for arranging transport, food and stay.

3. Always carry a raincoat. No ponchos please—you won’t know where you are stepping and they can fly away with air, restricting movement. Don’t forget to carry torch—it might get dark while coming back.

4. Don’t venture away from the group—stay with your clan. The jungle can get dark and tricky. There is no campsite permission.

5. Trekking shoes with good grip are a must if you want to trek in monsoon.

6. Carry waterproof cover for the mobile phone. Energy bars will help you on the way.

7. There is a pile of stones and pebbles like above to mark the trail and distances. Keep a track of these to make sure you are going on the right trail.

8. Don’t run/race while ascending, you will get tired in the beginning itself—start slow, be steady and make your halts shorter.

9. While descending, turn sideways and take one step at a time—let your step be side-facing. Don’t rush or run downhill—land on your heel than on your toe.

We had Prashant (wearing a grey shirt with white stripes) and Santosh (wearing a vibrant blue shirt, sitting in the first row) from the Nature Walkers team and here we all are posing tautly in front of the camera for our last pic together before departing from the homestay.

No camera can capture the beauty that you witness through your eyes—the reason there aren’t as many pictures as should have been.

Kudremukh is like a heaven on earth, especially in the monsoons when it becomes more challenging to reach the peak and you have to strive for it because it is worth it.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/kudremukh-trek-passing-7-milestones-to-reach-the-land-amid-the-clouds/feed/11kudremukhback1sheebakaulkudremukhtrek19k2K1Bangalore to Kudremukhkudremukhback10Kudremukhtrek16homestay2kudremukhTrek21kudremukhtrek1bIMG_20170917_103943IMG_20170917_103845Trek_KudremukhKudremukhTrek5KudremukhTrek7kudremukhback9kudremukhTrek10KudremukhTrek11kudremukh9Kudremukhtrek18Kudremukhjungles2Kudremukh8KudremukhTrek15DSC_0363leechesKudremukhTrek6KudremukhTrek4KudremukhTrek2kudremukhback6KudremukhTrek17Kudremukhback4kudremukhback1Kudremukhback3Kudremukhpeak3KudremukhPeakKudremukhpeak1kudremukhback2Khudremukhback6kudremukhback7kudremukhwaterfallIMG_20170917_080908kudremukhwaterfall1kudremukhtrek13kudremukhback11KudremukhTrek12DSC_0395Why You Shouldn’t Skip Patnitop After Visiting Vaishno Devi In Jammuhttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/why-you-shouldnt-skip-patnitop-after-visiting-vaishno-devi-in-jammu/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/why-you-shouldnt-skip-patnitop-after-visiting-vaishno-devi-in-jammu/#commentsMon, 04 Sep 2017 18:06:23 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=1989lIf you have visited Jammu seeking blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, the shrine of the Hindu Goddess Mahalakshmi, here is a reason you should stay another day in the city of temples.

Tall and sturdy Deodar and Blue Pine trees guarding the green meadows, houses of wood that complement the flora with their color, clouds swirling within your arms length brushing the cool damp air against your face and breathtaking view of the valley below—when I think of Patnitop, these scenes rush through my mind in a quick slideshow.

Patnitop was originally called Patan Da Talab, which translates to Pond of the Princess. It is believed that earlier there existed a pond amidst the meadows, where the princess of the local ruler used to take bath.

However, the name was noted down as Patnitop when the Britishers were creating a record of the places in India. This distortion in the name is often accredited to the misunderstandings they developed by wrongly pronouncing the words from Indian languages.

People come here to escape the scorching heat, which can surge up to 46 degree Celsius in the planes of Jammu.

Jammu, the winter capital of J&K state, is 1073 feet above the sea level as compared to Bangalore, which exists at an elevation of 3000 feet.

People often mistake Jammu to be a place where the weather is always pleasant and it snows in winters, simply because it is around 270 kilometers away from its peer, Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K state.

Patnitop is a famous tourist location in Udhampur district. It is a picnic spot where you can go to have a hearty meal in the most tranquil and natural locations and lie down on your back to see clouds rushing past you against the backdrop of blue sky and tips of the Deodars and Kail trees.

Patnitop’s elevation is 6640 feet and it snows here in winter months of November, December, January and February.

How To Reach Patnitop

You have to cover a distance of around 106 kilometres to reach Patnitop if you are starting from Jammu city. It will easily take you 3-4 hours by car.

It is a hilly area—the roads are snake-like with hairpin turns and sudden inclinations. Prefer hiring a skilled driver (one who has driven in a hilly area) than driving by yourself.

If you prefer a train journey and are coming from Delhi or any other part of the country, get down at Udhampur railway station (it is the closest to the location) or Jammu Tawi railway station and hire a taxi from there.

The closest airport to Patnitop is Satwari Airport in Jammu city.

Patnitop By Road

The scenic beauty on the way to Patnitop is a treat to the eyes. The road takes you through many tunnels cut through green hills, which ludicrously resembles human nostrils— at least to me.

The Chinani Nashri Tunnel

On the National Highway NH1A, which connects Kashmir to rest of the country, lies the Chinani Nashri tunnel.

The drive through the longest road tunnel in India with an amazing 9 kilometer long stretch is no less than a thrill.

The tunnel is around 13 meter in diameter and well lit by yellow sodium lights. Those lights are sure to have a magical effect on you as you pass the seemingly never-ending tunnel in the echoing silence.

When inside the tunnel, pull down the window of the car and stick out your head, feel the cool winds running against the length of the tunnel. The massiveness of the tunnel is both scary and exciting—the journey feels so long that you get accustomed to the darkness inside and feel that this moment, here and now, is never going to end.

What To Do In Patnitop

Eat and sleep in a serene and picturesque place—make this one a priority, you will know why.

That and these things are what you can do at Patnitop. There are other beautiful areas to explore around Patnitop like Kud and Sanasar—keep that for the next day.

1. Climb On A Horse’s Back

Horses will take you places. Horse owners will be charging around 300 per head, however, you can bargain and bring the prices down to half. It is a 20-30 minute ride amid the shades of huge Deodar trees.

In between, they will halt at a beautiful garden. Please your eyes with apple trees, flowers rose and Dahlia in full bloom. You could even buy apples from there.

The fee is 30 rupees per person and the place closes by 2 pm.

The garden is private, however, it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills enveloped by the drifting clouds.

Your horse-riding will continue after a 15-minute halt at the garden.

They will also stop a viewpoint from where they ask you to behold the location from where Kashmir starts. I was really hoping for a stunning view but was disappointed. Moreover, they only seemed to hype about the location, Kashmir is still farther away from there across the jungles and hills.

Avoid looking down and thinking whether your horse will make through the sloppy muck. You won’t fall until you keep looking around.

2. Wear Kashmiri Dress And Take Pictures

Turn ethnic by wearing a traditional Kashmiri dress, which is worn by Kashmiri Muslims. Don an ever vibrant and colourful ‘pheran’ and adorn yourself with artificial jewellery, which includes necklaces and the headgear ‘kasaba’, giving out a metallic silver glint perfectly suited for photographs.

That’s me wearing traditional kashmiri dress

Hold onto a flower basket or an earthen pot to complete the look. Get a great picture clicked and they will hand it to you in less than 10 minutes. Your getup will resemble like the picture above.

The photographer charges 100 per picture. Bargaining is of no use here, they strictly follow their offer prices.

3. Roll Down In Giant Inflatable Ball

The rolling inflatable ball is a recent attraction. While I didn’t try it as we were short of time, I assume it would be a fun-filled experience to roll down the green sloping grounds of Patnitop and see the world go upside down.

Confirm the charges and bargain a little before you go for it.

4. Explore The Jungle

Patnitop is like a labyrinth amid the tall deodar trees and rich green vegetation around. Run free athwart the vast meadows and dodge trees on your way—you will feel a wild adrenalin rush inside you.

It is also one of the best places to go for trail running.

Witness the serenity, hear the jungle come alive with sounds of birds and crickets and please your eyes with green all around.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city this place is magical and a peace of mind is guaranteed when you visit here.

Explore the jungles, the roads and grassy slopes intertwine at different points and you get the feel of hiking in a jungle.

The tranquillity amid the tall trees, the incessant baritone of crickets, the chilling wind and the creepily moving clouds add a dramatic twist to Patnitop in the evening.

5. Visit Nag Devta Temple

A little far from Patnitop is a quaint old Nag temple or Snake temple. The temple complex is small—you can’t go inside, but can circumvent the sanctum.

Females are not allowed inside the temple, so if you are with a female, promote equity and skip this one.

6. Trek To The Waterfall

There are various trekking routes around Patnitop, one of them leads to a small waterfall. It is at a distance of 2 kilometres from the Nag temple. There are no direct roads to the place, neither are tourists told about it—though it is written on the signboard once you enter the park.

Take the help of locals, especially the horse owners, who know about it and can safely guide you to the place.

7. Shop For Shawls

If you find yourself attracted to the shawls and stoles sold by the locals in the area, go ahead and buy a piece for yourself. The vibrant winter-wears are warm and cosy and worth a buy. You can always bargain on the price.

8. Lie Down Quietly And Look Above

That is all that should be said. When you are there, lie down, absorb the peace of the place and stare at the sky. It is an enchanting experience.

Must-Follows When You Are At Patnitop

1. Start early and reach there by 9 or 10 am—so that you have more time to enjoy. The place starts getting darker and cooler towards the evening.

2. Staying at the wood houses or nearby hotels is an experience in itself. Spend a night there.

3. If you plan to return, start early. You won’t want to drive down those hilly roads and sharp turns at night.

4. Don’t venture out alone—the place is quite a vast stretch of meadows. For security reasons, Indian army soldiers have been dispatched in and around Patnitop. Be responsible for your own safety though.

Winter Treat

Patnitop gets covered under the layer of snow during the four prime winter months. The excitement only manifolds if you visit here during that time.

Snow offers the opportunity for sledging, skiing and many other fun activities. I plan to treat myself with the visit again in January—when the white of the snow replaces the green of the flora, turning it into a spectacular location. What about you?

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/09/04/why-you-shouldnt-skip-patnitop-after-visiting-vaishno-devi-in-jammu/feed/6IMG_20170811_151812800_HDRsheebakaulIMG_20170811_152928845_HDRIMG_20170811_154539090IMG_20170811_165225420_HDRIMG_20170811_143203178_HDRIMG_20170811_141506436_HDRIMG_20170811_152953973_HDRIMG_20170811_170208976IMG_20170811_094859439_HDRIMG_20170811_094942459IMG_20170811_100316791IMG_20170811_094719656_HDRIMG_20170811_113407255IMG_20170811_144155064IMG_20170811_150950720_HDRappletreeIMG_20170811_150603803_HDRIMG_20170811_150533323IMG_20170811_150439339_HDRIMG_20170811_144348077IMG_20170811_144633800_HDRIMG_20170811_164011501_HDRkashmiri dress1IMG_20170811_170148497IMG_20170811_164527400_HDRIMG_20170811_164328427_HDRIMG_20170811_164708892IMG_20170811_173630593IMG_20170811_154743160IMG_20170811_153527016_HDRIMG_20170811_154415767_HDRIMG_20170811_173608152IMG_20170811_163952653_HDRIMG_20170811_173626467Hampi – The Ancient City That Speaks – Part 2https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/hampi-the-ancient-city-that-speaks-part-2/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/hampi-the-ancient-city-that-speaks-part-2/#respondTue, 25 Jul 2017 18:53:11 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=1751The skeleton of the ancient city of Hampi expands over a vast area—as far as the eyes can see.

Walking the passages cut through the dangerous crevices between huge boulders, we were now heading towards the banks of the Tungabhadra river.

Though October to March is considered the best time to visit Hampi, the winter sun of December continued to shine mercilessly on us.

The scorching heat and the dust make a nasty combination of sweat and dirt on your skin. However, if you are with friends, don’t worry, you all will appear equally tanned and covered in the red sand.

Keep your gear ready with these essentials—2 bottles of water per person, a cap/hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, good pair of shoes, some snacks.

We had rented cycles, from the locals—they had set up a small corner, renting two-wheeler on a small lease rate, for the whole day. The cycles did help us on the long stretches of roads linking different stone monuments.

The cycles were hired at rupees 150 per person after some bargaining.

Cycling is the most convenient way to discover places in Hampi though you won’t be able to reach all of them by dragging a bicycle along with you. Walking on foot comes second, but could be tiring and time-consuming if you want to explore entire Hampi.

Alternatively, hire a bike or taxi. You would still have to walk or trek to see few places that are on the hilltop.

Things changed quickly. It wasn’t a pleasant experience walking over a massive stretch of rock and carrying our cycles instead of riding them. We parked them in a corner with the hope that nobody would steal them and continued on foot from there.

The labyrinth through the gigantic boulders somehow opened into a stretch of a rock base that descended into the Tungabhadra river.

Tungabhadra River, Hampi Picture Credits: Akshayrajsinh Jadeja

Laying our feet in the refreshing and cool water on the slippery and rocky banks of the river, I released a breath of relief. The calm breeze that rushed closer to the water along its rugged banks welcomed me in its territorial land.

Coracle ride along the banks to ferry you across the river

There was an upturned coracle (a huge circular boat, which has a framework of bamboo sticks, reeds, and plastic sheets)—waiting for its passengers to be ferried to the other side of the river.

The charges for the coracle ride was 500 Indian Rupees per person.

We rejuvenated ourselves with a hot cup of sugary tea in small tea-shop built under the shades of a huge tree.

After regaining our strengths, we braved the sun to watch the ruins of Hampi, which is scattered over an enormous stretch of the land, belonging to the capital city of the Vijayanagar Empire.

King’s Balance, source: wikimedia.org

We crossed the famous King’s Balance—of what remained only two gigantic 15-foot tall pillars. The balance was weighed with gold, silver, rubies and all precious things equal to the weight of the king who would sit on the other end of the balance. This was distributed among the priests and the people of the kingdom.

Vitthalla Temple

One of the entrance gates at Vitthalla templeA closer look at the artVitthalla Temple Compound

Our next stop was the majestic compound of the Vitthalla temple that was surrounded by stone walls on the four sides. We covered a little over a kilometre on foot.

Temples supported by stone pillars embellished with beautiful carvings. Below, these abandoned temples probably held sculpture of Gods and Goddesses which are nowhere to be seen now.

On our way, we saw lifeless ruins covered with dust and vegetation cropping from the unattended corners and gaps of the structures that seemed to be the places of worship in the ancient times.

When we reached the remains of the Vitthalla compound, the area was brimming with people while the architecture lulled us to the huge entrance gate.

We couldn’t take our eyes off the remarkable brick and stonework that offered a glimpse of the life of people who would have at one time lived peacefully under the roof of these ancient structures.

The Stone Chariot

Vitthalla temple holds in its compound one the most iconic piece of Indian stone art—the Stone Chariot. It may look like a monolithic structure—cut out of a single piece of rock. However, Stone Chariot has been built using blocks of granite rock placed over one another with such dexterity and skill that the structure attracts attention in a single glance.

The Stone Chariot is an imitation of the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa that inspired Vijaynagar’s famous king Krishnadevaraya to build a similar structure in his own empire.

The 16th century stone architecture hosted Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu—but the sculpture is nowhere to be seen today. The chariot rests on a granite base, about 1 feet above the ground with life-size wheels and axle carved out of rock to perfection.

Picture Credits: Akshayrajsinh Jadeja

Architectural structures have innumerable stories depicted on its walls—the chariot temple and other structures in the Vitthalla temple compound have scenes of war engraved on their walls.

The stone elephants sculptures in the front of the temple that seemed to be pulling the chariot were built to replace broken horse sculptures that stood there before—their remains can still be seen.

There is a stone ladder in between them, which was used by the temple priests to reach the sanctum for offering prayers to the Garuda.

The Stone Chariot

It is believed by the people of Hampi that if the chariot moves from its place the world will come to an end. We can just hope that the stone structure stands remains intact and static as a remnant of the ancient Hampi.

There are various stone structures around the chariot in the same compound of Vitthalla temple—it may take you around an hour to have a look at each of them.

If you wish to know the stories associated with each of these structures and want to go into the depths of the time, you can easily hire guides to show you the place along—these are official tourist guides and have ample knowledge about the magnificent history of the place.

We have reached the end of this ancient world, next to the Vitthalla temple compound

From here, you could either retreat or move ahead to the remains of the Queens’s Palace, where you could relax and enjoy the evening sun. Oh! and how could we miss mentioning about the Archaeology Museum, the treasure holds the collection of old photographs of Hampi and valuable remnants from the past.

Keep a separate day in the basement of the Queen’s Palace, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables including the museum.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/hampi-the-ancient-city-that-speaks-part-2/feed/0IMG-20161226-WA0019sheebakaulhampi 1hampi16hampi3hampi4hamp6Kings_Balance_HampiIMG_20161224_124641373IMG_20161224_140031728hampi7hampi15hampi20hampi11IMG-20161226-WA0019hampi13hamp12hampi14hampi8hampi9hampi10hampi17The Tragic Comedy In Bodhgaya, Bihar: Best Friend’s Wedding Part 1https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/the-tragic-comedy-in-bodhgaya-bihar-best-friends-wedding-part-1/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/the-tragic-comedy-in-bodhgaya-bihar-best-friends-wedding-part-1/#respondSun, 16 Jul 2017 19:15:30 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=1654Gaya Junction is a small station that is a part of Eastern Railway zone of India. Like any other railways platform in India, we envisaged it to be brimming with people, walking to and fro and waiting eagerly for their trains. The station was unexpectedly both clean and empty in the early morning hours when we arrived.

Our friend’s brother had come to receive us at the station. Miss Annu, the bride and our best friend was at home, playing badminton and holding onto every opportunity to shed a few grams of fat before her wedding day.

Gaya reveals its deepest side in the narrowest lanes of the city. In quick successions of a few left and right turns, we crossed a market place that was just waking up from slumber and took a final left to enter into a lane. The houses hugged each other side to side—the road was empty yet carried a plethora of sounds coming from adjacent households. The three-storeyed house stood tall—the back of my head touched my neck as I stared at what we would be calling it for the coming days—home.

The Best Friend’s Wedding

Warm hugs and smiles welcomed us. It was a pleasure everyone in the family who had been expecting us since so many days—Aunty (our friend’s mother) called us for breakfast, something we had really been waiting for. We gorged on the food, satiated our hunger and went upstairs to our friend’s room for the ‘talk’.

Trying our friend’s Jewelry – Things To Do At The Best Friend’s WeddingMe: “There is no stopping to the drama, Ok! ” Shalvi: “This thing in not fitting in my nose”

Our best friend was getting married and like all girlfriends we were super excited to make the best out of these moments—we were the bridesmaids!

The Mehendi

Henna design in the Making

Applying mehendi or henna on the hands and feet of the bride is not just a traditional embellishment to make the bride look more beautiful. The lesser-known scientific reasons that back the practice are the cooling effect mehendi has on the skin. A wedding includes a series of customs that are performed one after the other. Mehendi provides a cooling sensation and releases the stress build from the whole day’s events.

We had to feed our friend, while her hands and feet were being dyed with the rich-smelling herb. It was a tedious 4-5 hour long process, which the aunty who had come to apply her mehandi completed without a sigh of exhaustion.

Our girl was ready, but we, her best friends made sure that her hena design was perfect and took the cone, much to the reluctance of the mehandi-wali-aunty, added a few streaks of wet mehandi giving it a final touch up.

The Final Outcome

The act was completed after dabbing a solution of lemon and sugar on the dried mehandi to churn out the color.

The Sangeet

Adjacent to the Falgu river, on the Bakraur village road, almost 14 kilometres from Gaya, stood the famous Mahabodhi temple—the place known to have been an abode for Gautam Buddha, where he meditated for seven weeks at a stretch. Across the river, only 1.7 kilometers away stood the Mahamaya Palace Hotel, where the wedding was to take place.

In the late hours of the previous night, we had arrived with all our luggage at the majestic hotel in a slumber. With our eyes almost giving away to sleep, we made a way to our room and unloaded ourselves. The calm vicinity and light summer breeze of July allowed us to settle down with ease and brought the sleep quickly.

The ceremonies had begun early the next morning when we were still snoring in sleep. The commotion in the room stirred us awake—we squinted, looking at our friend who was busy getting dressed up and ready for the occasion we had no clue about.

Our friend had to change about half a dozen saris for the ceremony.

Our beautiful lady in Red – Hugs and Kisses

Rubbing our eyes, we saw the bride in a beautifully embroidered brilliant red sari. We were still in our bed in our nightwear, while a number of unfamiliar faces poured in the room much to our embarrassment. As girls in their mid-twenties among aunties clad in saris and traditionally intact, we got some sheer glances from top to bottom. We were being excused as friends from Bangalore by our friend who was by now completely transformed under the shades of makeup and traditional wear.

We witnessed a series of wedding rituals including the Haldi. Our friend had to change about half a dozen saris, one for each ceremony. We helped her get ready every time, to change the jewelry, sari, footwear and a touch of makeup.

Our best friend and bride to be.

The whole scenario of the bride coming to the room and quickly changing into a new piece felt more like an Formula 1 race pit stop—where the car comes to a halt in between the race and gets a tire change, fuel refilling, mechanical adjustments and hurriedly speeds up to join the race once again.

Please excuse the expressions – We were basking in the summer morning light.

Evening was as fantastic as it could be. We dressed up in ethnic wear and came down to the banquet hall that was equipped with a wide stage and speakers blazing with party soundtracks—our happiness had no bounds! We both were shy at first, but on repeated insisting we took to the dance floor and then there was no stopping.

Then, it was just two of us, the stage, the light and lots of vacant chairs to see us perform.

The Party

The songs auto-played dance numbers one after the other and we couldn’t hold ourselves shaking a leg to each of them. The guests started retreating to the dinner table but we were still dancing on the stage with a few other people.

Those people then got off and we were left to dance with small kids. Then, it was just two of us, the stage, the light and lots of vacant chairs to see us perform.

Our friend asked us to come down, but we were high on adrenaline and pulled her along.

The Three Musketeers sharing the spotlight.

When only we two were left on the empty stage, the famous Indian number Kajra Re started playing, we couldn’t stop ourselves and kept performing the signature step until they put off the music.

“What do you think, we will back off if you put off the music?” We asked the cousins that sat cornered in their chairs at the far end of the banquet hall.

Undeterred, we started singing the lines of the song and finished the show.

The curtains fell with grace.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/the-tragic-comedy-in-bodhgaya-bihar-best-friends-wedding-part-1/feed/0Shalvi aayi bglr 🙋🏻💃🏼🃏 20160824_162324sheebakaulgaya junction1Annu_wedding6annu wedding 7annu_mehandi1Annu_wedding4Annu_Wedding5DSC_0147Annu_weddimg6DSC_0188IMG_20160707_095001605_HDRShalvi aayi bglr 🙋🏻💃🏼🃏 20160824_162324The Old Lady In Blue Sarihttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/04/the-old-lady-in-blue-sari/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/04/the-old-lady-in-blue-sari/#respondTue, 04 Jul 2017 07:44:31 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=1557I was walking back home from the bus stand. A long day I must say, plus the honks of traffic and the bustle of the vehicles clearly didn’t make things any better.

On the way, I saw an old lady walking ahead of me. Bend over with age she carried a jute bag full of clothes. A polythene with a few Parle G biscuits hung loosely from her fingers. She wore a blue sari wrapped shabbily around her petite frame. With her ragged, white hair spread carelessly on her tiny head and her hunched debilitating body, she walked at a slower pace. I easily overtook her.

Through the corner of my eyes, I saw her turning into a lane—was it my curiosity or my pitying over her state, I slowed down and started following her.

Her steps were little and her walk was slow. I had to stop to keep up with her—I pretended to be on phone, lest she notices me following her. At one point, I saw her talking to herself, gesturing at the big houses that we were passing.

I realized she might have been not been in the best of her mental health, probably, downtrodden by the rugged conditions of her life . Walking parallel to her and keeping up with her pace, I saw her approach a few street dogs. She sat on the road side, called out to them and started breaking and throwing the biscuits at them. I was so touched by her act—despite being in a deplorable condition, she was feeding street dogs, who happily waged their tails, feeding on the morsels she had to offer.

I couldn’t hold myself—I went near her and knelled down next to her. I started petting the dogs to make it look like I wasn’t following her lest she might become suspicious or uncomfortable. When she saw me, she started talking to me with vigor, but in a language I couldn’t understand. She talked about the dogs ( Naai in Kannada language ) in the beginning. We engaged in a conversation as if we were casual friends and had met after a long time.

A closer luck at her made me feel sad. Her face was a wrinkled with stretches of lines running athwart the face. Her puckered skin had adjusted to her aging body. Her eyes reflected the pain and turmoil a 75-year old could have gone through.

While talking, her tone shifted suddenly. From the bits of Kannada I knew, I could make out she was talking about her house—her voice wavered and streams of tears started pouring down her cheeks.

She continued speaking and what I understood was that somebody (probably, her family) left the house, leaving her alone. She said she didn’t know where they went. Her lips quivered—grief and dismay poured from her eyes. She spoke in low, cracked voice—though I couldn’t make out single word she was saying then, I listened to her.

I brought my hand near her face and, gently, rubbed off the tears from the creases of her skin. I pressed her hand in reassurance—though she might not have understood my tongue, I consoled her and asked her not to cry. The touch of sympathy made her cry even more—I tried holding back my tears as I felt her pain. She pinched her arms, showing the loose skin that hung from her thin limb. I couldn’t say anything to comfort her, but I offered her grapes that I had purchased that evening and the little money that I carried in wallet at that time.

She folded her hands to thank me, but I persuaded her against it. Refusing to accept her gratitude, I tried to deviate her from the topic by asking her about her home, making the shape of house by pressing together my finger tips. She understood and spoke something, out of which all I could get was ‘Kerela’. We continued talking that way deciphering and responding to each other’s words with our expressions and gestures.

People passing by noticed us and gave us quizzical glances. I thought I could ask someone to interpret the old lady’s language for me, but, then, felt against it. I might invite unnecessary comments and the old lady may get uncomfortable—so I stayed put.

We talked like that for good 15 minutes, after which we both instinctively got up to walk again as if we knew the time was up. She called on those dogs and started feeding them. She somehow explained me the way to her home—inge, ange and asked me where I lived. I couldn’t explain much but she seemed convinced and moved on, talking to the dogs and speaking to herself.

I continued walking towards home contented. Strangely, my heart felt lighter after talking to her.

P.S: I didn’t want to take her picture. Taking and posting her photograph felt like a tool to gain attention online and a disrespect towards her.

]]>https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/07/04/the-old-lady-in-blue-sari/feed/0old womansheebakaulold womanThe Tragic Comedy In Bodhgaya, Bihar: Howrah Specialhttps://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/the-tragic-comedy-in-bodhgaya-bihar-howrah-special/
https://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/the-tragic-comedy-in-bodhgaya-bihar-howrah-special/#commentsTue, 20 Jun 2017 04:47:25 +0000http://2littlemoments.wordpress.com/?p=1136Bodhgaya, also known as Gaya holds at its heart a place of historical as well as religious importance. This small town in the state of Bihar beats with life like any other, but only time has known better of its past.

I got a chance to visit the land where the great Gautam Buddha received enlightenment—the light of wisdom and knowledge. Though I wasn’t expecting anything similar, I had my own share of experiences that enlightened me with wisdom in the most unexpected and ludicrous ways.

I won’t be called a good friend if I refrain from mentioning that I had the opportunity to witness a traditional Bihari wedding—my best friend was getting married after all.

Not only is it a personal anecdote, it is a story of adventure, experiences and a great amount of entertainment. Buckle up your seat belts friends—we are about to take off for this journey, which starts from the southern bustling city of Bangalore on a pleasant breezy day of July.

We were flying from Bangalore to Kolkata. From Kolkata, we were to board a train to Gaya or Bodhgaya, Bihar.

5th July 2016; 4:10 PM – Bangalore To Kolkata

Loaded with excitement and energy, we boarded our flight. Attending our best friend’s wedding was what we eagerly awaited. As the steel bird raced on the runway, we couldn’t help clutching our armrest and looking at each other—our expressions were somewhere between a full-stretched smile and a teeth-glaring soundless laugh. The excitement only surged with the gain in altitude.

We jetted over the Bay of Bengal—one downward glance at the water body and thoughts of crashing into the sea initiated a series of events. I was playing my own death in my head.

Remembering what the flight attendant had told about safety instructions, I cheered up thinking if we really did fall in the sea below and survive, at least I would get to slide out from those air-filled slides into the saline waters.

My mind was blurred by my imagination and so was my outside view by the clouds. We descended quickly and the touchdown felt like a milestone completed.

As we moved out of the airport, a gush of humidity welcomed us—Kolkata felt like that sweaty aunty who wants to hug little kids.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport To Howrah Railway Station

We collected our luggage and went out of the airport. A row of yellow ambassadors stretched along narrow footpaths inside the airport area.

In Kolkata, be it at railway station or airport, one needs to book a prepaid taxi, which is mostly a fat yellow Ambassador car. The taxi charges between 100-150 Indian rupees for a 16 kilometers drive.

We didn’t know about it, but on asking few people for help, we were directed to the counter where we booked our taxi.

Warning: In between, we wandered off away from the airport thinking that we will get taxis at cheaper rates. However, roaming around anywhere in the world late in the night is not safe. We were suspicious about a man who seemed to follow us. We called our friends to ensure we were doing right by catching the yellow taxi outside the airport. Instead, we were told to quietly return back and book a taxi from there.

Kolkata – The First Impression

After getting into the taxi, we eased ourselves and let the slideshow of the city pass before us. We didn’t remember when the wide clean roads of the airport transformed into congested lanes that took us through a number of red lights.

On either side of two-lane roads, a row of apartments stood shabbily. Clothes hung on the grilled and brightly-painted windows of old buildings, big banners displayed photographs of local artists, a few buses carried people the through traffic. Our pretty yellow ambassador honked through narrow roads, making space for herself amid the hustle bustle.

The archaic structures of the city—towers, buildings, houses, and shops took us back in another era. We were time-traveling, following lane after lane and moving deeper into the city—passing through narrow streets lit by the tall pillars adorned with sodium lamps.

Few houses had walls with naked bricks peeking from the dull chipping paint, a climber was growing in between the cracks on a building, petite men pulled rickshaws, carrying people with the sole strength of their arms, small shops were cropped up in the tiniest of possible places in the streets.

Howrah Railway Station

All I can describe after reaching Howrah is a large number of people—being everywhere, going everywhere.

Hand-pulled rickshaws were coming to a halt at the entrance, wiping the trickle of sweat and waiting for the customers to unload. People of all kinds rushed with their luggage towards the main building of the station, dragging their trolley bags through puddles of water. Vendors shouted out to people, selling food items and tit-bits on the footpath. A few beggars waited desperately sitting on the sidewalks, some approaching the striding travelers.

A stench of urine, a stink of drain water and a whiff of fried food had concentrated the humid air—it was difficult distinguishing between the smells.

We entered the platform and saw a train slowing down at the station—the mob that got down the train seemed to put a cluster of ants around a sugar cube to shame. There were so many people around us, moving here and there that we thought we might get drifted away and separated, so we both stayed close.

Platform No. 9/9 C

The platform number left us perplexed more like Harry Potter in The Sorcerer’s Stone, where the protagonist, Harry was supposed to reach platform number 9.3/4. Ours was platform number 9/9 C. With the visible clarity, I assumed we weren’t supposed to run through any brick wall to reach our express train on the other side. But, we were surely going to a magical place for muggles.

Picture Credit: Shalvi Singh

We reached our platform and waited for our train to get shunted onto the main line. Trains chugged in and out of the station, carrying people and goods. We sat there halted yet again in time, waiting and looking at the people, arrive and leave.

Bodhgaya was calling and we were only desperate to leave Kolkata.

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